Instruction and assessment
You submit the lease, rent statement and landlord’s authority. We review the tenant, premises, arrears and apparent eligibility.
Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery
Recover commercial rent arrears without first going to court
Where the statutory requirements are met, CRAR allows a commercial landlord to instruct certificated enforcement agents to recover qualifying rent arrears from the tenant’s goods.
UK Bailiffs reviews the instruction, issues the required notice and manages the matter through to payment, arrangement or enforcement attendance.
No court claim to begin
A court judgment is not ordinarily required before CRAR starts.
14 clear days’ notice
The current general minimum before goods may be taken into control.
At least seven days’ rent
The separate minimum net-unpaid-rent threshold.
England and Wales
Action undertaken by certificated enforcement agents.
Is CRAR available?
A direct remedy for qualifying commercial rent
CRAR replaced the former remedy of distress for rent in 2014. It is designed to recover rent—not to terminate the lease or remove the tenant.
Recoverable rent generally means the amount payable for possession and use of the premises, together with contractual interest and VAT where applicable.
Service charges, insurance, rates, repairs and other non-rent liabilities cannot simply be included because the lease describes them as rent.
Practical distinction: use CRAR where recovering rent is the priority. If the landlord wants the premises back, commercial lease forfeiture may be the more appropriate route.
Clear and controlled
How the CRAR process works
A straightforward process, with eligibility checked before statutory action begins.
Notice of Enforcement
We issue the statutory notice. The current general minimum is 14 clear days before goods may be taken into control.
Opportunity to resolve
The tenant can pay or engage during the compliance period, before an attendance and further statutory fees.
Enforcement attendance
If the debt remains unpaid and enforceable, a certificated enforcement agent attends the commercial premises.
Outcome and reporting
The outcome may be payment, an agreed arrangement, goods taken into control or removal where lawful and necessary. You receive a clear report.
Choosing the remedy
Recover the rent—or recover the premises?
CRAR and forfeiture achieve different outcomes. The landlord’s immediate objective should determine which route is considered.
Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery
- Designed to recover qualifying rent.
- The tenant normally remains in occupation.
- Goods may be taken into control if payment is not made.
Commercial Lease Forfeiture
- Designed to bring the lease to an end.
- The landlord recovers possession of the premises.
- The lease, breach, waiver and occupation must be reviewed.
Considering both? The order in which steps are taken can affect the landlord’s position. Obtain advice before demanding or accepting rent if forfeiture is being considered.
Get started
Submit your CRAR instruction for review
Submitting the form allows us to assess the instruction. It does not create an obligation or mean enforcement has begun—we confirm the position with you first.
CRAR instructions are handled under our CRAR Terms and Conditions of Instruction.
We review the lease and rent statement, prepare the written authority and may request further information where required.
If you are uncertain whether CRAR applies, use our free CRAR determination tool before submitting the form.
For help, email help@ukbailiffs.org or call 0330 133 1818.
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice on an individual case.
